Spy Wars: I am the Captain of the Military Police

Chapter 1089 Bargaining Chips

"Vulgar!" the Emperor hissed, but maintained a smile on his face.

He waved his hand, signaling Takasaki Motonori to stop talking.

"Let's get back to the story of Tuo Ren."

The Emperor took out a thin sheet of telegram paper and pushed it to the edge of his desk. Nakao Fumimaro stepped forward half a step, respectfully took it with both hands, and together with Takasaki Motonori beside him, they looked down and examined it closely.

The telegram was sent from Tianjin, forwarded through the main residence of the Takasaki family, and copied to the Imperial Household Ministry as per regulations.

The message was concise, as was the usual style of the sender: In view of the evolving war situation and the needs of the military police, it is proposed to move the center of the military police headquarters south to Shanghai in order to oversee the discipline and security of the occupied areas in Central and Southern China. I will personally go to Shanghai soon to take charge of these matters.

"Tuoren is moving to Shanghai."

The Emperor's voice slowly echoed through the empty Imperial Palace, his fingers tapping lightly on his knees.

"Shanghai...the largest adventurer's paradise in the Far East, a place where international forces intertwine, intelligence is woven like blood vessels, and it is also where China's wealth and lifeline are concentrated."

"Hang the sign for the Military Police Headquarters there..." He paused, a fleeting, enigmatic glint in his eyes: "Takumi's move is quite ambitious."

"This kid has a sharp eye."

Takasaki Motonori stroked his chin, a low chuckle escaping from his short beard, his eyes regaining their sharpness.

"Tianjin is, after all, the territory of the North China Area Army. That old fox Terauchi Hisaichi is squatting there, and he can't even breathe properly."

Shanghai was different. The concessions were like a chessboard, a melting pot of law and crime... It was precisely where his "finding gold in the grime" skills could be put to use.

And then there's that two "miracle drugs" he's holding... He let out a soft sneer: "In three to five years, that most prosperous city in China, located on the banks of the Huangpu River, will probably belong to Yingzaki."

There was not a trace of blame in his words, but rather undisguised admiration.

"His Majesty."

Fumimaro Kino gently placed the telegram back on the table, speaking cautiously: "The situation in Shanghai is special. British and American influence is deeply entrenched, and the relationships between the parties are as delicate as walking a tightrope. If we are not careful in our actions, and given that Takumi is stubborn and cannot tolerate any loss, it may trigger an international conflict. We must consider this carefully again."

The Emperor nodded slightly: "I understand. That's precisely why we need to send him there to gain experience and to help him gain a deeper understanding of China. But..."

He abruptly changed the subject, turning his gaze to Takasaki Gentoku: "Gentoku, Takuto is not young anymore. Yuko's marriage cannot be delayed any longer."

Takasaki Motonori grinned, put on a playful expression, and bowed with his hands clasped: "It is entirely up to Your Majesty! Your Majesty's willingness to marry Princess Yuko to my son is a blessing that the Takasaki family could not have earned in ten lifetimes!"

"How and when to hold the wedding is a matter for Your Majesty and the Imperial Household Department to decide; I will not utter a single word of objection!"

He answered readily and decisively, as if this wasn't a royal family marrying off their daughter, but rather his Takasaki family getting a windfall for free.

"roll."

The emperor laughed and cursed,

"Stop pretending in front of me. I think you just want to get rid of this kid as soon as possible so you can have some peace and quiet and continue to run rampant outside, don't you?"

Tuoren's current temperament is half your flesh and blood, and half the wildness you've spoiled him with! As his father, have you ever seriously disciplined him for even a single day?

Despite being scolded, Takasaki Motonori was not angry. He just scratched his head and chuckled, "Your Majesty, you have wronged me."

As the saying goes, "Like father, like son." If my son, Takasaki Motonori, were to grow up to be a timid, obedient blockhead, that would be a disgrace to the family.

Look at him now, he's making a huge fuss in China. Those old fogies in the military can't do anything about him. He's come up with all sorts of things like "penicillin" and "streptomycin"... I heard even Terauchi Hisaichi and Prince Asaka Yasuhiko were completely fooled by him, scrambling to buy those medicines that are more expensive than gold.

This skill is something even I, as his father, am ashamed to admit I cannot match!

His words were brimming with barely suppressed pride, almost overflowing.

Chikao Fumimaro stood quietly to the side, listening to the uninhibited conversation between the two, who were both ruler and subject and childhood friends, and smiled bitterly to himself.

In the whole world, perhaps only Takasaki Motonori would dare to be so presumptuous in front of the Emperor.

This almost presumptuous intimacy is one of the reasons why the Emperor was so "tolerant" and even "supportive" of the Takasaki family, especially Takasaki Takuto, who was far away in China.

It was a bond forged from years of absolute trust and the unspeakable secrets they shared.

"Once he has established himself in Shanghai and the situation has stabilized somewhat," the Emperor said, his smile fading and his tone returning to calm, "I will issue an edict summoning him back to Japan to marry Yuko."

At that time, he will be a true member of the royal family, his status will be different from before, and he will have to shoulder certain responsibilities.

Takasaki Motonori's playful expression faded slightly. He understood the deeper meaning behind the words: a marriage alliance with the imperial family was an honor and a shield, but it was also a rope that would drag the Takasaki family deeper into the vortex of the empire's core.

He bowed solemnly and said, "Your Majesty, rest assured, although my son is wild by nature, he is of high moral character."

"I pledge my life to Your Majesty's loyalty and my duty to the Empire."

The Emperor gazed at him for a moment, then slowly nodded: "I trust you, and I trust him. However, Gentoku, there is something I need you to remind me of."

"Your Majesty, please enlighten me."

"The two medications he had were penicillin and streptomycin,"

The Emperor's gaze deepened.

"Their value far surpasses that of gold. They are not merely medicine, life-saving instruments, but also... bargaining chips of power, chains that can make people bow down to them."

While using it wisely, caution is essential, especially with streptomycin, which can treat tuberculosis. If this news spreads widely, people seeking the medicine in Kyoto will be as numerous as fish crossing a river.

Royal family, nobility, and high-ranking officers wielding significant military power yet cowardly and afraid of death... all will move at the mere mention of it.

Takasaki Motonori's eyes sharpened: "Your Majesty means...?"

“What I mean is that he must understand that this medicine is first and foremost for the empire, and for my use.”

The Emperor spoke calmly, yet each word was sharp and clear: "He can use this to make allies, exchange for benefits, and consolidate his power."

But the ultimate power of control and distribution must be in the hands of those who should hold it.

I do not wish to see such a thing, capable of determining life and death, become a tool for certain individuals to form cliques, pursue personal gain, or even blackmail me.

"I understand."

Takasaki Motonori nodded heavily: "I will ensure that he keeps a firm grip on the dosage of this medicine, and does not lose his composure."

Fumimaro Kino spoke up at the opportune moment: "Your Majesty's thoughts are profound."

The strategic value of these two drugs is immeasurable. If they can be mass-produced, they will not only significantly reduce our army's casualties and boost morale, but also serve as an important bargaining chip in international diplomacy.

If this news gets out, the United States, Germany, and other countries will definitely pay close attention.

This matter must be kept absolutely secret, and its allocation must be strictly controlled. Perhaps it could be secretly handled by Yuan Dejun's "Sakura Group" to prevent any unforeseen circumstances.

The Emperor neither agreed nor disagreed, but remained silent in tacit approval.

He looked at Takasaki Motonori again:

"You must strengthen the activities of the 'Sakura Group' in China, especially in Shanghai."

Not only should we help the entrepreneur establish himself, but we should also keep a close eye on all developments for him.

Britain and America, Soviet Russia, Wuhan, local warlords, and even those potentially discontented eyes within the empire itself... I need you in the shadows to clear away the thorns for him.